EURECA SOLAR CELL REPORTS:
In this work a high resolution microscopic impact survey of one of the panels was
performed. The size distribution and crater morphologies of impacts smaller than 500 �m on
the front side of the panel are described. These small impacts form a consistent data set as
they are almost all craters in the protective CMX cover glass of the solar cells. The impacts
larger than 500 �m in spall diameter tend to be holes and their morphologies are
consequently affected by the different materials behind the cover glass and solar cells. The
flux derived from the impact survey is compared to existing data from LDEF and other
experiments and to model predictions, calculated using the ESABASE Meteoroid and Debris
tool.
Comprehensive data has been generated from the scanning at Fokker (NL) of the Solar Cell Arrays of the European Space Agency spacecraft, EuReCa. Recovered from an orbit of inclination i = 28.5° after 11 months of space exposure commencing in August 1992 it generated an area time product of 1.34x109 m?S?up5(2) sec for just the front of the solar arrays. This offered an unprecedented opportunity for the study of meteoroids and space debris impacting solar arrays; data from the arrays and other surfaces on EuReCa is presented in several formats.
The Technical Report contains a full description of the stages of data acquisition and analysis, with comprehensive graphical and tabular data enabling the reader to assess better the space impact environment experienced in the EuReCa's exposure. The Final Report should be consulted for broader aspects of the project and general conclusions.
EURECA RESIDUE ANALYSIS REPORTS:
Multi-Layer-Insulation (MLI) blankets covered most of the spacecraft for thermal control purposes. It was realised early on that the multiple layers of these blankets could act as a thin film collecting device, slowing down and breaking up impact particles as they penetrate the layers. It was hoped that residues of the impact particles would remain on some of the layers. These could then be chemically analysed in order to deduce the origin of the impactor. The multiple film method is a recognised way of collecting particles, but so far no investigations of impacts into MLI have been carried out. It is hoped that this work, together with concurrent investigations at the Open University, GB, will shed some light on particle origins and hypervelocity particle damage to MLI.
This report details the results of the Impact Morphology and Residues Analysis project carried out on multi-layer insulation blankets recovered from the exterior surfaces of the European Retrievable Carrier.
EURECA MLI & OTHER SURFACES REPORTS:
Multi-Layer-Insulation (MLI) blankets covered most of the spacecraft for thermal control purposes. It was realised early on that the multiple layers of these blankets could act as a thin film collecting device, slowing down and breaking up impact particles as they penetrate the layers. It was hoped that residues of the impact particles would remain on some of the layers. These could then be chemically analysed in order to deduce the origin of the impactor. The multiple film method is a recognised way of collecting particles, but so far no investigations of impacts into MLI have been carried out. It is hoped that this work, together with concurrent investigations at the Open University, GB, will shed some light on particle origins and hypervelocity particle damage to MLI.
This report details the results of the Impact Morphology and Residues Analysis project carried out on multi-layer insulation blankets recovered from the exterior surfaces of the European Retrievable Carrier.
